Tottenham and Arsenal might be thousands of miles from home, but their fierce rivalry didn’t cool off one bit under the Hong Kong skies.
In front of a buzzing 50,000-strong crowd, Spurs edged their old rivals 1-0 in a fiery pre-season clash that was anything but friendly.
Both teams brought intensity and energy, but it was Spurs who walked away with the bragging rights thanks to a jaw-dropping strike from Pape Matar Sarr.
Sarr Stuns with a Screamer from Distance
Just as everyone was settling in for a goalless first half, Pape Matar Sarr pulled off something special.
Spotting Arsenal keeper David Raya too far off his line, the 22-year-old let fly from around 45 yards out—yes, you read that right—and found the back of the net.
It was his third goal in three games, and what a way to do it, celebrating in front of stunned Arsenal fans while replays of the goal flashed across the big screen.
A controversial missed foul in the buildup only added to the drama, as tempers simmered on both sides.
Arsenal’s Injury Woes Continue to Pile Up
If Mikel Arteta wasn’t already concerned about his defensive options, he certainly is now.
Gabriel is still not match-fit following hamstring surgery, and the clock is ticking to get him ready for the Premier League opener against Manchester United.
Jurrien Timber is also still not back in full training, and newcomer Riccardo Calafiori is managing another minor injury.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are sweating over the fitness of Dominic Solanke, who trained the night before but didn’t even make the bench for this one.
Debut Buzz for Gyokeres and Roars for Son
Two late substitutions brought the biggest cheers of the night.
Arsenal fans were eager to get a first glimpse of Viktor Gyokeres in action after his much-hyped arrival, with plenty already wearing shirts emblazoned with his name and the iconic No. 14.
On the other side, Spurs fans were thrilled to see local hero Son Heung-min, who started on the bench but got a brief cameo late on.
Both strikers entered with 15 minutes to go, but neither made much of an impression as the game wound down.
Hong Kong Crowd Delivers Full House Atmosphere
Unlike Arsenal’s matches in Singapore, which saw more modest attendances, this north London derby was a full sell-out.
With over 50,000 in the stands and plenty of energy, it gave the match a proper big-game feel.
Both clubs are reportedly cashing in nicely, with £2 million apiece just for this game, and even more to come from promotions and sponsorships.
By the time they return to London, both sides will have racked up over 15,000 miles—and some healthy bank deposits.
Spurs Get Serious with Set Pieces
Tottenham fans may have noticed a new level of discipline in their set-piece play—and there’s a reason for that.
Former Arsenal staffer Andreas Georgson is now working his magic as Spurs’ set-piece coach.
Spurs caused all kinds of trouble from corners, twice hitting the post and generally unsettling David Raya.
They’ve borrowed a trick or two from Arsenal’s playbook, and it’s working.
Havertz Still Has Something to Prove
With Viktor Gyokeres arriving to much fanfare, Kai Havertz knows he needs to make every minute count.
Back from injury, he led the line from the start but didn’t make much of a case to keep his spot as Arsenal’s main striker.
His effort was there, but his finishing left a lot to be desired.
When Gyokeres replaced him late on, it felt like a changing-of-the-guard moment—though the Swede didn’t get much of a chance to shine either.
Kudus Impresses with All-Round Performance
Tottenham’s new midfield engine, Mohammed Kudus, looks like he’s been in the squad for years.
The Ghanaian international brought a blend of creativity and intensity that Spurs missed last season.
He pressed high, broke forward well, and gave Arsenal headaches all over the pitch.
If he keeps this up and the team continues to grow under Thomas Frank’s guidance, Spurs could be a far tougher nut to crack this season.
Looking Ahead
Both clubs now shift their focus to upcoming pre-season fixtures—Tottenham face Newcastle in Korea, while Arsenal continue preparing for their season opener against United.
One thing’s for sure: this derby gave fans plenty to talk about, and more than a few reasons to believe the season ahead could be one to remember.
